Album Review: Gang of Youths – The Positions

On the 10th anniversary of The Positions I’m reflecting on the mission statement that this album was for the Sydney band. Quite an ambitious debut: a slow burning concept album written about, and for, the frontman’s ill, dying wife. But even in his most inconsolable moments, Dave Le’aupepe is driven by a relentless search for hope.

Take the stunning Sjamboksa, which begins: “Can I just fight for the winning side, than feel that I'm building a home and a life to behold till it's robbed from my sight?” and ends with an acceptance that while things won’t get better, they can still make the most: “Though your lungs will fight to take you/ It doesn't mean we shouldn't try.” It’s an utterly beautiful, life affirming song.

As a lyricist, Dave has never shied away from sharing raw stories: Magnolia, the best known track here, is about his suicide attempt one self-destructive bender in the prior June. But make no mistake, the song is an absolute screamer— makes you want to get up and dance, celebrate this limited time we all have. These songs are so ambitious in their subjects and length, they make for such a fulfilling complete listen that I never just listen to one song.

This deeply personal, grand storytelling is a crucial element of Gang of Youths’ succeeding work— Go Farther in Lightness revels in all the despair the triumph of the human condition, while Angel in Realtime tackles the emotions that arise from mourning and sees Dave confront his cultural identity. But there’s something about The Positions that makes it an extra special moment in their impeccable discography— maybe it’s hearing a young band absolutely nail it on their first go.

Favourites: Vital Signs, The Diving Bell, Magnolia, Radioface, Sjamboksa